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SPACE 
T FOURTH DIMENSION 

By Robert L. Reeves 



THE CRESCENT PUBLISHERS 
GRAND RAPIDS • MICHIGAN • USA 






Copyright, 1922 

BjT 

ROBERT L. REEVES 



14 1922 



©CI.A677146 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENSION 



Preface 



Ever since mortal man began his humanly mental 
attempt to learn the Truth about all things, he has 
endeavored earnestly to apprehend the real nature of 
space, time, and matter. Hungering for the apprehen- 
sion of the whole of Truth, he has expanded his thought 
in many directions, in his mortal effort to encompass 
in his thought the vast expanse of the universe, into 
the bygone ages and into those yet before him, only 
to reach the point where he must stop, unable to 
grasp that concept which mortal limitations can never 
encompass, namely: infinity. 



[5] 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENSION 

5 



Foreword 



In the discussion of any phase of life on other than 
•a purely human basis, none of us can fail to acknowl- 
edge that Truth, as revealed by Mary Baker Eddy, is 
ithe outstanding source of true enlightenment since the 
idate of her discovery of Christian Science. In this 
^metaphysical discussion of the subject of "Space", the 
writer has been actuated by Truth as revealed in the 
Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with 
Key to the Scriptures", published in 1875, which date 
significantly corresponds with that at which the chief 
discussion of the Fourth Dimension began. "And I, if 
I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto 
me" is eternally true of Mrs. Eddy and of all who 
reflect the Christ, Truth. 



[7] 



The "Space" Concept 

The unit of "space", termed the point, exists only 
as a mental concept. It is intangible, incapable of 
constructive description, for iti has. neither length, 
breadth, nor thickness. Having absolutely no dimen- 
sion, it cannot rightly be said to occupy "space". As 
a human concept the point is the smallest unit of 
"space", yet does not occupy "space", which fact at 
once brings the rational faculties of the enlightened 
human mind to the question — Is there reality in 
"space"? From this simple deduction it may be an- 
swered: The only reality in "space" is that which the 
individual human mind is educated to objectify: and 
there are as many different conceptions of point and 
"space" as there are mortal minds to objectify this un- 
real, intangible abstraction. 

However, human invention, having given birth to 
the "great discovery" called the point, proceeded to 
investigate the function and use of the newly objecti- 
fied entity, and it was further discovered that, although 
the point possesses no property of length, an infinite 
number of points, when placed side by side, consti- 
tuted or generated a still more significant "reality" 
mortals are pleased to call a line. The line, then, is 
simply the enlarged conception of the point, objectified 
to mortal mind by moving the point through so-called 
"space", or by placing an infinite number of points 

[9] 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENSION 

tangent to each other (although we at once fail to 
understand how that which is intangible, e. g., without 
dimension, could be tangent to anything, much less 
to itself). 

Granting that the mortal mind basis of objecti- 
fying space is correct, we will follow its synthetic pro- 
cess of building the next higher "space" structure, the 
plane, which is generated by moving the line in a di- 
rection not contained within itself, or by placing an 
infinite number of lines tangent to each other, which, 
when so placed, constitute a plane or two dimension 
"space" having length and breadth. Just as pure rea- 
son teaches us the impossibility of building up a line 
from points which have no length, so we perceive the 
absurdity of the mental or mortal conception, breadth, 
composed of an infinite number of lines when the line 
has absolutely no breadth. But, by moving the line 
in a direction not contained within itself, mortal mind 
insists it has generated a plane or two-dimension 
"space" — having length and breadth but no thickness. 

Proceeding in this marvelous process of objectify- 
ing a material universe, the next gymnastic feat of the 
human mind is to build a still higher "structure", the 
solid, or three-dimension space, having the elements 
of length, breadth and thickness. This "space" is man- 
ufactured from the plane by placing, as before, an 
infinite number of the "space" of lower order, tangent 
to itself, or in this case, by moving the plane in a 
direction not contained within itself. It is clear to 

[10/ 



THE "SPACE" CONCEPT 

us that the plane having no thickness, bears no rela- 
tionship to the solid by virtue of this fact. The thick- 
ness of the plane is represented by zero. The plane 
can therefore be passed through the solid (which mor- 
tal mind sometimes calls intelligent and sometimes 
non-intelligent) without becoming conscious of or af- 
fected by the dimension of lower order. 

We have seen, then, that there is positively no 
relationship between the elements of the various di- 
mensions, e. g., the point bears no relationship to the 
line, because the point has no length; the line no re- 
lationship to the plane because the former has no 
breadth ; and the plane no relationship to the solid be- 
cause the plane has no quality of thickness. Any dimen- 
sion therefore of lower order may be passed through, 
or be in the presence of "space" occupied by any dimen- 
sion of higher order without either being thereby af- 
fected. Thus the point, having no property of dimen- 
sion, may pass unobstructed through the line ; the line 
without interference through the plane; and the plane 
triumphantly through the solid. 

The essential point to keep in mind in the study 
of mortal mind's objectification, "space", is that none 
of the three conceptions of "space" can be built up by 
using the element of "space" assumed to be possessed 
by the dimension of lower order. They are absolutely 
distinct and unrelated conceptions. The essential ele- 
ments of each space or dimension bear no relationship 
to the essential elements or property of the other 
"space". 

[in 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENSION 

We naturally marvel, therefore, upon contemplation 
of this synthetic process of "space" building — how can 
a solid be built without the use of something that 
possesses thickness ? We recall that the more rational 
explanation of this achievement was that the "space" 
of the next higher order was generated by moving the 
lower dimension "space" in a direction not contained 
in itself. This we concede is a feeble and unsatis- 
factory explanation of "space" and will remain as the 
best that mortal mind can devise; and will not be 
superceded until the illusionment of mortal mind con- 
ceptions is dispelled, and it is fairly understood that 
all so-called "space" is but one of the phases of the 
attempt of mortal mind to reverse the Truth regarding 
the Spiritual Universe. 

Following out this most enlightened human method 
of explaining "space" as comprehended by finite sense, 
we ask — why does not mortal mind continue this pro- 
cess of building the successive higher orders of "space" 
and move the solid, the third dimension "space" in a 
direction not contained within itself, thus generating 
the Fourth Dimension? For the reason that "space" 
as conceived by the senses, is thereby reduced to 
nothingness and mortal conceptions are lost in the 
labyrinth of contradictions which mortal mind has 
woven for itself in perpetuating the fallacy that "mat- 
ter", "time" and "space" are real. 

With the objectification of the third dimension 
"space", mortal mind has reached the limit of its ability 

[12] 



THE "SPACE" CONCEPT 

to comprehend "space" and, to finite sense, there is 
nothing beyond this objectification. Having begun 
with an illusory concept, the "point", as the unit of 
"space", and built on this foundation a structure which 
can only exist as a mortal concept, mortal thought is 
apparently incapable of conceiving of a still higher 
order of "space" generated by moving the solid in a 
direction not contained within itself. But the limita- 
tions of finite sense do not over-shadow the light of 
pure reason and metaphysics in understanding that a 
final and complete understanding of "space" is possible 
only as this synthetic process is continued and the 
solid is conceived as moving in a direction not con- 
tained within itself, thus generating the Fourth Dimen- 
sion. 

Finite sense is, of course, incapable of understand- 
ing what this direction is or of comprehending the in- 
evitable conclusion to which such a process brings us. 
For if the solid is to move in a direction not con- 
tained within itself, the very space elements — length — 
breadth — thickness — are thereby found to diverge and 
become disassociated, unrelated, losing their reality to 
sense. When this fabric, constructed by human belief, 
is thus broken down and "space" dimensions are dis- 
sected, separated into their respective elements, they 
are found to be mere abstractions, nothingness. 

Dr. Manning, of Brown University, states — "The 
fact that we can comprehend but three dimensions 
does not disprove the existence of a Fourth." 

[13] 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENSION 

The outstanding fact that is clear to each of us 
is that each lower "space" dimension is capable of 
passing through "space" of higher order without either 
being affected. This fact, inexplicable to finite sense, 
is a basis for the explanation of the disappearance of 
a solid when it is passing through "space" compre- 
hended in the Fourth Dimension. 

Another authority, Edward H. Cutler, A. M., of 
Newton, Mass., states — "The assertion is made on the 
authority of eminent mathematicians, that in a space 
of four dimensions, there would be no obstruction to 
entering or emerging from a space shut in on every 
side, as a tightly shut box, or room, and the Fourth ' 
Dimension is relied upon to explain supposed myster- 
ious occurrences of such entrance or emergence. The 
Fourth Dimension has relation to the actual (we are 
glad Mr. Cutler uses the word actual rather than real) 
universe in which other sensations and perceptions are 
exercised." 

Still another student of mathematics states, "Our 
world is a mere abstraction, a shadow cast by a more 
real, four-dimension world." 

Mr. Cutler elsewhere discusses the matter as fol- 
lows: "Conceive of a space of but two dimensions 
like that of a flat surface of a table. Beings in such 
a space co&d move around each other, but one of them 
completely surrounded by the others, would be im- 
prisoned by them. If, as before the two dimensions 
space is within our space and really depends upon the 

14] 



THE " S P A C E" CONCEPT 

limitations of the perceptive faculties of the beings in 
question, the imprisoned being could be lifted by a 
being in our space, and set down outside the beings 
surrounding him. The latter would lose sight of him 
during this movement and not understand how it had 
been effected. 

"From these suppositions of one dimension 'space' 
and two dimensions 'space', the inference is drawn that 
there may be a Fourth Dimension in our 'space' and 
that our ignorance of it arises only from the limita- 
tion of our perceptions." 

Lieut. Col. Graham Denby Fitch, U. S. A., states — 
"Just as in our 'space' a 'point' can pass in and out 
of a circle without touching its circumference, so in 
hyperspace a body could pass in and out of a sphere 
(or other closed space) without going through the 
surface surrounding it." 

Paul Bragden defines space as follows : "A space is 
that which separates two portions of the next higher 
'space' from each other." Further — "The whole evolu- 
tionary process consists in the conquest, dimension by 
dimension, of successive space-worlds." 

Kant once wrote: "If it is possible that there are 
developments of other dimensions of space, it is also 
very probably that God has somewhere produced them, 
for His worlds have all the grandeur and variety that 
can possibly be comprised." 

And Paul Bragden is likewise inspired to perceive 
that "The higher 'space' hypothesis (Mr. Bragden re- 

[15] 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENSION 

f erred to it thus as an hypothesis in an article published 
in 1910) makes man in his present state appear but as 
an earth worm in power and knowledge, nevertheless 
it holds out the promise of eternal progress." 

Evidently in 1913 Mr. Bragden's thought has be- 
come sufficiently liberated to enable him to spiritually 
perceive the real meaning of "space" as elucidated by 
Jesus, the Christ, whom he is pleased to call a space- 
man of the Fourth Dimension, and on this basis of 
understanding he explains the meaning of the Christ 
mission. "Equipped with all knowledge of full compas- 
sion, clothed in that transcendent body which had been 
'broken' for human-kind, this Christos of a lesser world 
in due course gathered disciples about him — square 
men all, save one, to whom He taught the precious 
secret of release from birth and death. When His 
work was accomplished He 'ascended' to heaven — folded 
himself up into His higher space-form — and became 
once more a Ray of the One light having committed 
the spreading of the Truth to those whom He had 
instructed." 

And this author, on pages 76-78 of his book entitled 
"A Primer of Higher Space", thus 
Heaven Harmony interprets the teachings of the 
Christ. "Heaven is all about you, 
a city lying four-square, clear as 
glass, and filled with light. Here 
your true, your immortal selves 
have their true home. This world 

[16] 



Jer. 


23 


23-24 


Matt. 


3 


2 


Luke 


3 


21-22 


John 


1 


51 


John 


3 


13 



THE «« S P A C E" CONCEPT 

John 8 31-3-8 of yours which seems to be so sub- 
41-51 stantial is but a mutable and many- 
colored film, staining the bright 
radiance of this crystal heaven, 

Phil. 3 20-21 Your lives are but tracings made 
by your immortal selves in this 

film world. How shall you learn the way to this heaven 

of light, the truth of this transcendent existence? 

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This 
is my body broken for you. This 
Body cruciform figure bounded by six 

Rom. 7:4 squares is but the boundary of 

Rom. 8:2, 10, 12-14 it, folded down into a lower di- 
Rom. 12:1, 5 mensional world. Whenmymis- 

II Cor. 5 : 16-17 sion is accomplished and I ascend 

Heb. 10:10, 22 to heaven, I shall refold the 

I Cor. 11 :24, 27-30 square into a single symmetrical 
figure, my heavenly body, a solid 
of the higher dimensional 'space' beyond your percep- 
tion. 

"Hearken to the Truth ! Because these squares are 
solids of your world it is hard for you to understand 
how they can be boundaries of a higher solid. In order 
to understand it, imagine for a moment that your 
world, which is two-dimensional, is the higher space 
or heaven world, of a one-dimensional 'space'. The 
perfected body of a plane-man is a square, which you 
are, to the consciousness limited to the one-dimension 
of a line, a line-man. First of all you would have 

[17] 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENSION 



to forsake your solidity, forsake or forgo your inner 
or plane life, which for you is the only true life, and, 
conforming your consiousness to your perimeter, break 
it at one of its angles, and fold it down, straighten 
it out into a one dimension space. Its four divisions, 
each one the boundary of one side of the square would 
be, to the perception of the line man a solid of his 
space, and he would have the same difficulty in imag- 
ining them folded up into a single symmetrical figure 
that you have in imagining these six solids of your 
space to be boundaries of a symmetrical solid of a 
space higher still. 

"Learn now the precious secret of immortality. The 
consciousness within the cube 
and within the square are one 
consciousness, and that con- 
sciousness, is Divine. It is im- 
possible therefore to identify 
your plane consciousness with 
your cube-consciousness and rise 
by such means into the higher 
dimensional world. This i s 
achieved by desire, by work, by 
knowledge, by devotion, but 
much more than all by Love, as 
you shall learn. ,, 

In his work entitled, "An- 
other World," A. T. Schofield, M. 

[18] 



City of God 
Rev. 21 and 22 
Person 

Mark 12:14-17 
Gal. 2:6 
Heb. 1:1-3 
Rom. 2:11 
James 2:8-9 
Children of God 
Luke 3:8 
Luke 6:35 
Rom. 8:21 
Rom. 9:8, 26 



THE " S P A C E" CONCEPT 

D., attains an equally high plane of thought in making 
the following deductions from Scriptural History. 

"Passing on now to consider the history of the 
higher world, more especially as recorded in the Bible, 
we find its superiority as to its inhabitants, its re- 
ligions, and its power, all amply confirmed. We find 
indications that this unseen world itself surrounds 
us on every side. Paul, caught up into the higher 
world, although he saw and heard much, found it 
impossible to describe or relate anything in human 
language upon his return to this world. (Note — are 
not our worlds simply states of consciousness, dis- 
tinct and separate, just as the line-consciousness, the 
plane-consciousness, the square-consciousness, and the 
cube-consciousness, are each a separate and distinct 
world? Also, Mrs. Eddy, in 'Science and Health with 
Key to the Scriptures', has covered the point com- 
pletely on page 117, when she wrote, 'Ear hath not 
heard nor hath lip spoken the pure language of spirit', 
— and she further writes on page 349, 'Mortal thought 
does not at once catch the higher meaning and can 
do so only as thought is educated up to a spiritual 
apprehension'. 

"We have also," continues Dr. Schofield, "the ac- 
count of Elijah, Enoch and Christ, 
Children of leaving this world for a higher one, 

Heaven while yet alive. 

[19] 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENSION 

Matt. 9-16 "In some parts of the Bible, no- 

Divine Glory tably Revelation, a definite endea- 
1 Peter 4, 11-14 vor is made to describe some of 
these higher glories in human lan- 
guage, and all that can be done is to picture them by 
commonest earthly symbols: Gold, glass, precious 
stones, years, thrones, palms, lamps, trumpets, white 
linen, swords, suppers and so forth, as words existing 
to fully portray the glories of the spiritual world are 
lacking." 



i2o; 



The New Birth 



Let us try to conceive of a race of human beings 
(such as we to human consciousness appear to be) as 
so limiting, contracting their thought models as to be 
unable to apprehend the dimension of thickness, 
thereby confining their activity to a plane or two-di- 
mension space. It would be difficult, even impossible, 
to conceive of the degree to which activity in such a 
state of consciousness would be restricted. In such 
a limited condition of thought life would surely not be 
worth while. Of course, in the last analysis there 
could be no reality in such a counterfeit activity, or 
representation of life. 

Humans (square-men) cannot then conceive of any 
reality in the "life" of an imaginary plane-man, and 
the plane-man, incapable of apprehending the essential 
quality of thickness belonging to the square-man, could 
not be conscious of the existence of the square-man. 
Thus to the square-man, the plane-man is unreal, and 
visa versa. 

From this simple deduction it is very easy for us 
to understand in a measure, why it is impossible for a 
cube-man (Life, Truth, Love) to conceive of a square- 
man. We have understood why the square-man cannot 
cognize the plane-man while said plane-man is devoid 
of the dimension of thickness, and exactly at the point 

[21] 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENSION 

that the plane-man does begin to acquire this quality, 
he ceases to be a plane-man, and is become a square- 
man, perhaps with an infinitesimal amount of thick- 
ness, but nevertheless he is, to that degree, a square- 
man. 

The essential characteristic of the cube-man being 
Life, Truth and Love, it follows that 
The New Birth the cube-man cognizes the square-man 
II Cor. 3:17 only to the degree that the square- 

John 3:5-8, 13 man manifests, reflects these quali- 
I John 5:18 ties, and the square-man will in turn 

apprehend life in the Fourth Di- 
mension. 

Thought models are solely real to the mind evolving 
them, whether they are of the first, second, third or 
Fourth Dimension. There exists a distinct line of de- 
marcation between each plane of thought. The plane 
has nothing in common with the solid, and the solid, 
square, none of the characteristics of the Fourth Di- 
mension. 

We will suppose that the third dimension figure is 
composed of an infinite number of planes and it be- 
comes clear to us that the square, or solid, does not 
exist in the lower dimension, but the converse is rather 
true. Assuming again the Fourth Dimension figure to 
be composed of an infinite number of solid figures, it 
is similarly perceived that the Fourth Dimension figure 
does not exist in the solid, but the converse is again 
true. 

[22] 



T H E NEW B T R^ JT H 

We have understood that square-men are as un- 
known to cube-men as are cube-men to square-men, and 
that the latter can cognize the cube-men exactly to the 
degree that their thought models blend, harmonize, and 
partake of the nature of those of the cube-man, and 
that to this degree the square-men cease to be square- 
men and are already become cube-men. It is evident 
that square-men do not possess the power to so con- 
tract their thought models as to confine their activity 
to the plane. The square-man cannot destroy his qual- 
ity of thickness. It is equally impossible for the cube- 
man to cast off his essential qualities and remain a 
cube-man. The essential quality of the square-man is 
unknown to the cube-man, who includes all square-men 
as the square-man includes all plane-men. And it there- 
fore would appear mandatory to his preservation that 
the square-man must acquire the essential qualities of 
the cube-man in order to become real to the higher 
actuality, and thus come into the sphere of reality. 

How many of us in this state of consciousness would 
be willing for humanity's sake to forsake all that we 
prize in the freer, larger activity of the three-dimension 
world and confine our activities to a supposititious two- 
dimension world ? Of course, this would be impossible 
to fully do, for we understand there can be no reality 
in the two-dimension world, yet the Christ was willing 
for tired, limited, sleeping, suffering, fearful, helpless 
humans to forsake His higher consciousness (insofar 
i as it was necessary for Him to do) and limit His activi- 

[23] 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENSION 

ties for a time to so-called life as comprehended within 
the infinitesimal limits of human consciousness. And 
for our guidance He showed us how to so broaden, ele- 
vate, this human consciousness as to apprehend in a 
measure the grand realities of life in the Fourth Di- 
mension, which assuredly must be proportionately free 
and unconfined to that divine consciousness as our ac- 
tivities are real and unconfined in contrast with those 
of supposititious plane-men. 



[24] 



The Fourth Dimension and the 
Time Concept 

The error of believing that the plane is not at all 
times in or comprehended by the square is at once 
apparent. All planes must be within the square. We, 
as three-dimensioned beings, require no time to appre- 
hend this fact. We realize at once that it is indigenous 
to the character of the plane to be so comprised. This 
was ever, is now, and ever will be the relation exist- 
ent between the plane and the solid. 

The plane-man's self-imposed limitations which 
would seem to prevent his moving in a direction not 
contained within himself does not negative the demon- 
strable fact that he could so move by increasing his 
thought activity. For by doing so, he at once ceases 
to be a plane-man, at once acquires the square con- 
sciousness, and overcomes the limitations of the plane 
life. Immediately his mental concept of reality is 
changed, his being is changed. Henry Drummond 
states, "Time does not change man — Christ does." 
Christ is Truth. An eternity destitute of Truth, (if 
this were possible) would never make the plane-man a 
square-man. Did men hold forever to the belief in life 
in matter, did he never investigate the facts of Life, he 
would ever remain as a correspondingly narrow plane- 

[25] 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENSION 

man, subject to all of the conditions of circumscribed 
material activity. One instant's realization of absolute 
Truth by all mankind would usher in the millenium. 
Jesus, the Christ, perceived and explained the unreality 
of time and all material beliefs when He said, "The 
harvest truly is plenteous;" "The kingdom of heaven 
is at hand." The kingdom of heaven, harmony, con- 
sciousness of all good is even now within the reach of 
each individual — not will be, has been and is lost — but 
is now. This w 7 as always man's divine right, and only 
needs to be recognized. 

A trillion planes super-imposed one upon the other 
never would constitute a solid. The combined qualities 
of a million good mortals will never reflect one atom 
of divine Mind. Human goodness never made man like 
God. Mortals have enthused over their own material 
concept of God, vainly striving to make God like them- 
selves, not realizing that if it were possible to do this, 
God's identity would be destroyed. A million years of 
such efforts are not equal in potency to one atom of 
Truth dawning upon human consciousness, and reveal- 
ing man's true spiritual identity as the reflection of 
the infinite Spirit. Vague conjecture about life will 
never enable man to understand Life, — We must appre- 
hend that, "Now are we the sons of God." (I John) The 
proof of this is also in demonstration. 

The plane-man's belief in the superiority of the 
plane-consciousness over the square-consciousness is 
readily destroyed by his gaining even a little of the 

[26] 



THE FOURTH DIMENSION AND THE TIME CONCEPT 

square-consciousness which at once overcomes the ills 
and limitations of the plane-life. If spiritual conscious- 
ness were not superior to material beliefs, it would not 
be possible to destroy human ills, want and limitation 
by recourse to the divine Mind — God, who is not subject 
to these ills and limitations. 

The consciousness of good is ever within man's 
reach, and he proves the unreality of material condi- 
tions as he appropriates his spiritual heritage — asserts 
his God-given rights — and raises his thought away 
from matter and sense-limitation. 

It does not then require time to perceive the noth- 
ingness of the supposititious plane-man, — and when 
man becomes conscious of his real identity no time will 
be required for him, the cube-man, to see the nothing- 
ness of material conditions. God does not require 
"time" to express Himself — Truth. When all material 
beliefs are destroyed time will have become a lost con- 
cept — eternity is comprehended — and man does not live 
in the past, nor future, but in the eternally present. 
This fact was most clearly enunciated by St. John in 
Revelation, Chapter 10, verses 5-6, when he said, "And 
the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the 
earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by him 
that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and 
the things that therein are, and the earth, and the 
things that therein are, and the sea, and the things 
which are therein, that there should be time no longer." 

Time does not bring death — a belief in time brings 

[27] 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENSION 

death. Destroy the belief that one has lived a given 
space of so-called years and, knowing no past, and 
awaiting no future, each day would constitute, each 
instant would be eternity. Unconscious of having lived 
— expended so much energy yesterday — man would not 
be conscious of any lessened degree of "energy" today 
and would live, and does live forever. 

The skeptical questioner may ask, "Why, if all this 
is true, do you recognize matter, space and time ?" We 
mortals are not yet perfect ; we are in the kindergarten 
of divine Science. Christ Jesus knew that in the light 
of Principle, there was no matter, no time, no space, no 
death, but we read that for many years He "grew in 
wisdom" and did not complete His highest demonstra- 
tion of the Principle of absolute Science at the begin- 
ning, but at the close of His earthly career. 



28] 



The Theory of Relativity 

Mortal mind, being only conscious of finity, cannot 
apprehend infinity. This so-called mind, believes that 
time is required for "events" to occur, that there must 
exist intervals of time between these said "events." In 
its measurement of the velocity with which light trav- 
els, it is confronted with the inevitable deductive fact 
that if there are no limits to its objectification, the ma- 
terial universe, there must be a so-called place where 
light rays never yet have penetrated since time is re- 
quired for light to travel. He cannot logically affirm 
that space, being real, can ever cease, for nothing that 
is real can cease to be. If mortal man designates a 
locality in numerical terms at which space is no more, 
he at the same time admits that he has reached the 
limit of his ability to objectify the material universe, 
and that the reality of said universe is held within the 
limits of his finite capacity for objectification. If actu- 
ally real, there could be no such limitation to so-called 
physical reality. 

Equally incomprehensible is the time concept which 
mortal man has evolved for his seeming convenience. 
Is there a point in measuring time in terms of the suns, 
years or centuries, at which time ceases ? If so, time is 
unreal. As his thought continues its attempt to appre- 
hend and define these erroneous concepts, he reaches 

[29] 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENSION 

a point where he becomes conscious of the fact that 
space and time are but counterfeits of the true con- 
cepts, best expressed as infinitude and eternity. This 
is the inevitable conclusion of one who seeks an under- 
standing of ultimate Truth, the true concept as dis- 
tinguished from the false finite concepts expressed as 
space and time. The text of reality must therefore be 
infinity itself. 

In discussing his Theory of Relativity, Albert Ein- 
stien covers this point when he states that there is a 
locality in the infinitude of so-called space where the 
light rays would not have yet penetrated, depicting for 
instance the battle of Gettysburg. This being true, is 
there not a locality in so-called i 'space' ' where light rays 
could not have yet penetrated since the dawn of mortal 
history? Certainly enough ciphers in terms of solar 
distances could be stated designating a locality where 
even these rays of light had not yet penetrated. 

If light itself, being that material concept which is 
least dependent upon time, is unable to reach infinitude, 
we logically ask, is any material concept able to meet 
the test of infinity? Is mortal thought capable of ap- 
prehending all of space or time — the infinite idea ? As- 
suredly none of us who still think to some degree, at 
least, in terms of mortality, is able to truthfully say 
that he can picture to himself the ultimate stretches 
of the universe for the simple reason that his thought, 
being to some degree mortal, must employ material, 
finite concepts in which to outline his picture. Even 

[30] 



THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY 

mortal thought, that has lost much of materiality, is 
thus incapable of picturing that infinite concept which 
is solely comprehensible by infinite Mind itself. Does 
infinite Mind find any difficulty in holding forever in 
conciousness its ideas ? Is time or space a barrier to 
this Mind ? Assuredly it cannot be possible for infinite 
intelligence to ever lose sight of its ideas. 

Einstien's theory of relativity is, briefly, that any 
material phenomenon under observation is a "relative 
conception and only reveals a relation between the ob- 
server and the observed" (Brose). The scientific fact 
implied by that statement is that the material world is 
nothing more than mortal mind (human beliefs) objec- 
tified. Space and time are then denominated as rela- 
tive concepts. The conquest of time and space must be 
in accord with the Jaw of Truth about all things, for 
the law undeniably means that man in the universe is a 
harmonious creature — with the divinely bestowed right 
and power to dominion over all things. If all material 
concepts are thus relative, the true concept (i. e., the 
concept that corresponds with absolute Truth) must be 
the standard by which all mental concepts are meas- 
ured. These mental concepts must then approximate 
infinite Truth — must correspond with eternal facts 
which, when mentally conceived, at once establish man 
in a state of consciousness which enables him to assert 
his dominion over all sense of limitation — the power 
to overcome all evil encompassed by sin, disease, and 
aeath. 

[31] 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENSION 

Wherein, then, is Einstien's General and Special 
Theory of Relativity useful? Obviously, to the Chris- 
tian Scientist, it brings to his aid a phalanx of mathe- 
matical deductions to buttress his understanding that 
man's conception of the universe derived through the 
physical senses is unreliable and illusive — a conception 
which is always changing, and which is true only to 
the degree that it patterns Truth — the infinite idea 
held eternally by the divine Mind. The advanced mathe- 
matician having, then, made good use of his extraordi- 
nary powers of human reason, which Mary Baker Eddy 
pronounced as the "most active human faculty," (page 
327, line 29, Science and Health with Key to the Scrip- 
tures), and having employed the most exact of the 
physical sciences in which to express his deductions, 
has at length come to the point of partial agreement 
with the metaphysician. Being thus partly at agree- 
ment, wherein does the scientific metaphysician take 
issue with these deductions? He does not take issue 
with them. Rather does divine Science to a degree sub- 
stantiate and uphold them, and then goes beyond them. 

Mr. George Frederick Hemens, M. C.-B. C. S., in his 
essay on Relativity, published by The Scientific Ameri- 
can Publishing Co., states that an observation made by 
Minkowski in 1908 enabled him to reach a mathemati- 
cally correct solution of the problem of space, time 
measurements whereby "The velocity of light is made 
equal to 1 in this calculation by a suitable choice of 
units." "This discovery threw a vivid light on the 

[32] 



T HE TH EORY OF RELATIVITY 

problem of space — time, showing that it is probably 
a true four-space of one negative dimension, a simple 
derivative of the much discussed and now familiar Eu- 
clidean four-space. Although this discovery gave a 
tremendous impetus to the progress of the theory, it is 
probable that it holds a deeper significance not yet re- 
vealed. It is probably a statement of the 'stuff' of 
which the four-space is made, and perhaps also of how 
it is made ; but the problem remains unsolved." Mathe- 
matics thus leads man to the borderland of Science 
which human systems can but dimly describe. 

Revealed, demonstrable, practical Truth is by no 
means comprised in Einstien's statement that all hu- 
man knowledge is relative. It goes beyond the first 
steps in the diagnosis of inharmony and limitation ; and 
to the inspired thought of Mary Baker Eddy, there was 
revealed a terminology which alone can define the in- 
finite, a task which is obviously above and beyond the 
power of this "relatively correct" human mind to do 
by the use of material, finite terms. Einstien does not 
define the infinite-— he only reveals finiteness to its er- 
roneous self. For this reason, he has established no 
rules, no principle, by which we may guide our thinking 
to the goal of an understanding of infinite Truth — a 
practical working knowledge of absolute facts, bringing 
out the harmony of man and the universe. To Mrs. 
Eddy's spiritual consciousness, this Science was re- 
vealed, and with it, its eternal, divine Principle, infinite 
Life, Truth, Love. 

[33] 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENSION 

Wherein is the Christian Scientist justified in mak- 
ing the assertion that this revelation of Truth which 
came to Mrs. Eddy is superior to Einstien's mathemati- 
cal-physical deductions ? Obviously, solely on the ground 
of greater utility, practicality. Does an understanding 
of the infinite Principle of Life, as defined by Mrs. 
Eddy, afford relief from disease, sin, and death ? Surely 
there are few well informed persons among the English 
speaking race, at least, who have not, or could not if 
they so desired, satisfy themselves that the correct 
answer to this query is decidedly affirmative. Mr. Ein- 
stien's incompleteness consists in having attempted to 
reveal an infinite spiritual Principle in terms of mate- 
rial concepts, an obviously impossible task. He is in 
the position of the Arithmatician attempting to state 
fundamental Algebraic facts with the use of numerals 
alone. He is in the position of a Franklin who has 
dimly discerned that a higher Principle exists, a su- 
preme force, but is unable to utilize or define the forces 
of this newly discovered world of reality. This Mrs. 
Eddy was enabled to do by brushing peremptorily aside 
all dependence upon material hypothesis, and looking 
for her enlightenment to the source of all intelligence, 
infinite Mind itself. And the Christian Scientist knows 
full well that his right to call himself a follower of 
Jesus, the Christ, is solely on the ground of his dem- 
onstrated power to overcome evil, which is divinely be- 
stowed upon all who worship God in "Spirit and in 
Truth." 

[34] 



THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY 

Another anonymous writer on "Relativity" states: 
"The savage and the ancients peopled all the woods 
and skies with gods and demons, who earned on the 
activity of nature by their bodily efforts. Today we 
have dispossessed the demons, but the ghost of a mus- 
cular pull still hold the planets in place." 

Elisha proved muscular pull to be a ghost or illusion 
when he caused the axe to swim. Jesus, the Christ, 
furnished greater proof when he stilled the tempest, 
and when he brought Lazarus forth from the grave. 
All of these were divinely natural phenomena which 
mortal mind denominates as miracles, supposedly un- 
natural and incomprehensible, and so they are and ever 
will be to finite sense which "takes limited views of all 
things" and is restricted in its apprehension of all the 
phenomena of Life. 

Mr. Einstien would never have denominated as a 
"theory" his discovery of higher arithmetic and geo- 
metric facts, had his finite sense of things yielded to a 
spiritual sense which more clearly perceives and sub- 
stantiates as primal and supreme those fourth-dimen- 
sional facts which his enlightened human reason could 
but imperfectly define and express. Finite capacity 
is incapable of clearly defining the higher realities of 
existence or of comprehending laws which the most 
exact of all human science, that of Mathematics, has 
alone been found capable of approaching. In his prize 
essay on the subject of "Relativity," published by The 
Scientific American Publishing Co., New York, Mr. Lyn- 

[35] 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENSIO N 

don Bolton discusses the limitation of finite sense as 
follows : "Time can no longer be regarded as something 
independent of position and motion, and the question 
is, what is reality? The only possible answer is that 
objects must be regarded as existing in four dimen- 
sions, three of these being the ordinary ones of length, 
breadth, and thickness, and the fourth, time. The term 
'space' is applicable only by analogy to such a region; 
it has been called a 'continuum/ and the analogue of a 
point in ordinary three-dimensional space has been ap- 
propriately called an 'event/ By 'dimension' must be 
understood merely one of four independent quantities 
which locate an event in this continuum. In the na- 
ture of the case any clear mental picture of such a 
continuum is impossible; mankind does not possess the 
requisite faculties. In this respect the mathematician 
enjoys a great advantage, not that he can picture the 
thing mentally any better than other people, but his 
symbols enable him to separate the relevant properties 
from it and to express them in a form suitable for ex- 
act treatment without necessity of picturing anything, 
or troubling whether or not the properties are those on 
which others rely for their conceptions/' There is 
here no incongruity. It is as impossible to express the 
"continuum" of the Fourth Dimension in three dimen- 
sional terms as it is to express the science of Algebra 
in numerical symbols alone, or to establish a basis for 
the study of solid geometry by the use of plane figures. 
It is not a matter of deep concern that material 

[S6] 



THE T H EO R Y OF RJE L A T I VI T Y 

terms and a material language (such as the English) 
should be found inadequate to define or describe a 
sphere of thought and action that is divested of all ma- 
terial elements, one that is wholly spiritual in its con- 
ception and manifestation. 

It must be perceived by the eminent scientist that 
this "continuum" is infinity itself, and that the mis- 
named "event" becomes impossible in the light of in- 
finity. Just as the "point" in three dimensional space 
is a misnomer because unreal, so it is likewise impos- 
sible to define or express an "event" as the unit of the 
continuum, — infinity. There is no unit, no portion of 
infinity. This event, portion or unit, is inconceivable 
as one grasps the thought of infinity. 

The one logical step out of this labyrinth is to dis- 
card the material concepts of length, breadth, thick- 
ness, and with them, time itself; and as this is done the 
Fourth Dimension is then freed from the limitations 
of finite conceptions, and it can be understood (to the 
degree finite concepts are dispelled) in its essential 
nature as an expression of infinitude, as the spiritual 
creation of infinite Mind unrestricted to either time or 
space — concepts which must always remain as mere 
expressions of finity, the opposite of infinity. 

Mr. Hemens states further, "In considering what at 
first sight may appear to be fantastic statements made 
by this theory, it must be born in mind that all our 
knowledge of the external universe comes through our 
sense-expressions, and our most confident statements 

[37] 



SPACE AND THE FOU RTH DIM ENS I O N 

about external things, are really in the nature of infer- 
ences, liable to be wrong. 

"The fundamental creed of the new theory is that 
the space-time universe, constitutes a true four-dimen- 
sional space of one negative dimension, this dimension 
being time. The type of order prevailing in the physi- 
cal universe, the laws of gravitation, heat, motion, and 
the rest are not directly imposed by some external 
power, but are apparently chosen by mind itself/ ' 

We can each understand that Mind, Soul, Spirit, 
Principle, Life, Truth, Love, are concepts which are 
not confined to any locality, nor any restricted period 
of time, nor to any material elements whatever for 
their definition, expression or embodiment. We can 
easily understand that Mind, God, must be eternally 
self-existent, that Truth must have always been, is 
now, and ever will be Truth; that Love must be an- 
terior, superior and posterior to any other manifesta- 
tion of Life by reason of its omnipotence. These spir- 
itual attributes must then constitute the "reality," this 
right idea which the scientist is at a loss to apprehend, 
to apprehend which "mankind does not possess the 
requisite faculties." 

Does not man possess this faculty — a spiritual 
power? Are his faculties wholly finite — limited, ma- 
terial? If so, he cannot understand, experience, or ex- 
press goodness, purity, affection, joy, peace, unselfish- 
ness, meekness, humility, all of which are spiritual at- 
tributes. In point of fact, man possesses no other fac- 

[38] 



THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY 

ulties than those which are devoid of materiality, fin- 
iteness. The real faculties of man are in truth wholly 
spiritual, and being spiritual, the real man can under- 
stand spiritual things only. 

His spiritual enlightenment enabled the Revelator 
to picture imperfectly (as material terms are imper- 
fect) the city Four-square, a term which scholastic 
theology has been wont to define as a locality, a bounded 
portion of so-called space. The city Four-square is best 
apprehended in terms of divine Science. The central 
fact about this city, ' doming forth from God," is that 
God, divine Mind, is its supreme ruler, and that Christ, 
Truth, is ever manifested in it. It is not difficult for 
us to understand why there is no night there, since 
Truth, Life, Love, do not depart, cease to have entity 
with the coming of material so-called darkness — nor is 
there any need for solar light to reveal eternal, omni- 
potent Truth. The light of this City is not then a ma- 
terial manifestation, but a spiritual reality, a reflected 
consciousness from Spirit, — giving the light of spiritual 
understanding to all who reflect the Christ, Truth. And 
since there is no time in eternity, it follows that this 
eternal city, this consciousness of spiritual truth, is 
ever a present possibility. It must be true indeed that 
"the kingdom of heaven is at hand," ever has been and 
ever will be, however, blinded to Truth mortal man 
may be. 

Mr. Hemans further states, "The trains of thought 
inspired by Einstien's postulates have already carried 

[39] 



S PACE AND THE FOURTH DIMENS IO X 

us to a pinnacle of knowledge unprecedented in the his- 
tory of man. On every hand as we look upon the uni- 
verse from our new and lofty pinnacle, unexpected and 
enthralling vistas open up before us, and w r e find our- 
selves confronting nature with an insight such as no 
man has ever dared aspire to. 

"It is completely unthinkable that this theory can 
ever be swept aside. Apart from experimental verifi- 
cation which, in point of fact, lend it the strongest sup- 
port, no one could work through the theory without 
feeling that here, in Truth, the inner workings of the 
universe were laid bare before him. The harmony with 
nature is far too complete for any doubt to arise of its 
Truth." 

Truth does not conform itself to agree with mortal 
man's finite conception of Truth. Truth is, and ever 
will be the same — not partially, but wholly manifested, 
and if Truth is eternal and is ever manifested, the king- 
dom of heaven, the City Four-square, must be with all 
mankind forever. St. John did not see the past nor 
the future in his spiritual exaltation which afforded 
him actual entrance into the heavenly City. The City 
is always intact but material sense shuts the door of 
understanding, and nothing less than Truth, as re- 
vealed in divine Science can open it, for it can never 
be opened by any method other than by God's appoint- 
ing, by demonstration of pow r er over material sense 
which an understanding of God in Christian Science 
alone affords. 

[40] 



The Law of Harmonious 
Activity 

The question will arise, "How is man to overcome 
his erroneous finite, three-dimensional concepts, and 
replace them by the correct, infinite, Fourth Dimen- 
tional concept ?" The answer is to be found in an in- 
creased mental activity in the right direction, and the 
importance of this greater activity may be explained 
by the following process. 

Let us suppose that mortal man is solely an ani- 
mated portion of matter, with an intelligence confined 
w r ithin supposititious brain lobes. Let us suppose that 
the sum total of his knowledge consists of his sense 
impressions received through the retina of the eye, and 
that this organ has been trained and educated to trans- 
mit only physical phenomena. We will ask this subject 
to place his eyes on a specified level, and we will sup- 
pose them to be without motion — activity. The sense 
impression thus received to the brain would convey 
only a point, an hypothetical, supposititious portion of 
"space". Thus we perceive at the outset that with no 
activity, man has no knowledge. Now let our subject 
move his eyes up or down in a single plane and he 
would be conscious only of a line or one dimension; 
next, let them move sidewise, and he becomes conscious 

[41] 



SPACE AND THE FOURTH DIMEN S 10 N 

of two dimensions of the place. Finally, let the eyes 
move from their stationary position forward and back- 
ward, and the series of impressions received would re- 
veal the fact of three dimensions or the solid. 

"Why do we stop here?" "Why do we not proceed 
in this line, and, through greater activity assert our 
dominion, acquire a complete understanding of all 
things?" If activity be the law of life, perpetual and 
harmonious activity must of necessity result from the 
exercise of this law ad infinitum. 

In each case of increased activity above referred to, 
the sole result in each instance w r as to reveal new facts 
to the mind of the subject. Each step in advance con- 
sisted solely in increasing the knowledge of the subject 
and correcting limited, finite conceptions by increasing 
the number of his sense impressions, whereby he 
viewed all things from a broader basis. Hence, the 
whole process is understood as purely mental. 

Thought or conscious mental volition was the primal 
cause of the activity which gained the conquest over 
each lower space-dimension. The eye of itself could 
not move until thought had sufficiently expanded as to 
become dimly conscious of another world of reality, and 
the resultant mental activity revealed tangible proof 
that mind's newborn concept of another world was the 
more infinite and more correct concept. 

The human mind has dimly perceived that there is 
a higher plane of existence in the realm of the Fourth 

[42] 



THE LA W OF H A RMONIO US ACTIVIT Y 

Dimension and thoughts' pinions have so far explored 
this still higher and more infinite sphere of activity as 
to furnish tangible proof that all finite, three-dimen- 
sional concepts are incorrect, and must eventually be 
replaced by those spiritual, materially unfettered con- 
cepts of reality which wipe out a supposititious three- 
dimensional world, just as three-dimensional concepts 
must have wiped out a supposititious two-dimensional 
world. These tangible proofs consist in the disappear- 
ance of supposedly inevitable material phenomena, sin, 
disease, and death, as infinite Mind's activity is brought 
to bear upon a particular inharmonious material con- 
dition, removing and correcting the apparent physical 
condition through non-material means alone. The 
proofs are definite and tangible. Among every civilized 
people today there are those who have borne grateful 
testimony to the superiority of spiritual over material 
sense. 

Since all so-called "inevitable" material phenomena 
are the outcome of blind belief, of finite concepts, it 
must be finally conceived as inevitable that these con- 
cepts, and their resultant phenomena, must be replaced 
with the right concept and its harmonious manifesta- 
tion. 

At one time in history it was conceived as inevitable 
that the mariner would eventually fall into abysmal 
darkness by sailing westward. It is now held by some 
as inevitable that man has no control over his destiny, 
that equally destructive powers are his "inevitable" 

[43] 



SPACE AND THE FO U RT H DIM E N S I O N 

nemesis, that he has no mental power to save himself 
from another abysmal "region," and that his ultimate 
outcome is annihilation. 

Electricity was at one time a destructive weapon of 
Deity; now it is a useful force. Electricity has not 
changed. Man's concept of it alone has changed. His 
inevitable process of correcting erroneous concepts with 
the right concept must continue until all finite mental 
activity is replaced by that activity which reflects the 
one infinite Mind. Heaven, harmony, freedom from 
limitation, is ever within the consciousness of immortal 
man. God, good, is infinite Mind, and man, reflecting 
infinity, frees himself from matter, or sense limitations 
to the precise degree that his thought activity is ex- 
panded as to intelligently appropriate the finite re- 
sources of Spirit. 



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